\Pud"dling\, n.
1. (Hydraul. Engin.)
   (a) The process of working clay, loam, pulverized ore,
       etc., with water, to render it compact, or impervious
       to liquids; also, the process of rendering anything
       impervious to liquids by means of puddled material.
   (b) Puddle. See {Puddle}, n., 2.
2. (Metal.) The art or process of converting cast iron into
   wrought iron or steel by subjecting it to intense heat and
   frequent stirring in a reverberatory furnace in the
   presence of oxidizing substances, by which it is freed
   from a portion of its carbon and other impurities.
{Puddling furnace}, a reverberatory furnace in which cast
   iron is converted into wrought iron or into steel by
   puddling.